Efficacy of a standardized extract (HemoHIM G) from Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Paeonia lactiflora on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in BALB/c mice.

Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Paeonia lactiflora have traditionally been used as medicinal herbs in East Asia; HemoHIM G is a standardized extract of the three herbs. However, its immune improvement abilities are unexplored. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the immune-enhancing effects of HemoHIM G on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression in a murine model. As a result, HemoHIM G improved weight recovery lowered by CTX and helped improve white blood cell counts and other hematologic indicators. In addition, CTX-reduced Natural Killer (NK) cell activity was significantly improved. Cell density was significantly reduced by improving recovery of the spleen white pulp. Furthermore, HemoHIM G significantly increased interleukin-2 and interferon gamma expressions in splenocytes and induced spleen lymphocyte proliferation. Thus, HemoHIM G increased NK cell activity and played an important role in enhancing immunity through cytokine expression. The study findings suggest HemoHIM G as a novel functional food with immunomodulatory efficacy.